Calgary University’s Termination of Tenured Professor Due to Twitter Posts Deemed Excessive

The decision by Calgary’s Mount Royal University (MRU) to terminate a tenured professor in 2021 was deemed excessive by an arbitrator.

Frances Widdowson, known for her opposition to “wokeism” and identity politics on her Woke Academy website and social media, was dismissed just before Christmas following a contentious exchange on Twitter with colleagues. She challenged her dismissal through a grievance.

Regarding the disciplinary action, Jones concluded that while Widdowson’s behavior warranted discipline, her termination was “disproportionate.”

“Several factors outlined in the dismissal letter dated December 20, 2021, are inaccurate, unproven during the arbitration, or not relevant in an academic setting that values academic freedom,” Jones stated.

Despite the ruling that her dismissal was excessive, Jones ruled out reinstating her at the university due to significant conflicts between Widdowson and others at MRU.

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“I believe that instead of reinstatement, a monetary settlement would be more appropriate in this case,” Jones stated.

Widdowson expressed satisfaction with the favorable ruling but voiced disappointment at not being reinstated.

“There’s no valid reason why I shouldn’t be brought back to MRU,” she remarked in a phone interview. “I prefer not to work with those who oppose my return.”

Widdowson mentioned that an appeal has been filed with the aim of seeking reinstatement.

MRU communicated to The Epoch Times via email that the ongoing arbitration has had a broad impact on the university community.

“We acknowledge the significant effects this process has had on our faculty, students, and staff,” the university stated.

Complaints

In September 2020, after Widdowson remarked in a media outlet that the Black Lives Matter movement had negatively impacted the atmosphere at MRU, a petition calling for her termination garnered over 6,000 signatures.

She faced additional backlash from students and university peers for her views on the residential school system, including her claim that it did not constitute genocide.

The arbitration report highlighted the Twitter clashes, now dubbed X, that transpired over several years.

“Between 2016 and 2019, Dr. Widdowson alerted University officials about being targeted on Twitter, with tensions escalating into a ‘Twitter War’ in the summer of 2020,” the report stated.

In his arbitration ruling, Jones acknowledged Widdowson’s controversial opinions on various subjects. However, he noted that her scholarship quality and ethics had never been in question, she never received performance management counseling for her teaching or research, and the university had supported and recognized her scholarly endeavors.

Widdowson emphasized that the process has taught her the importance of standing by her principles.

“If you seek closure, it’s best to quit now because closure will never come,” she remarked. “I’ve realized this through all the battles I’ve fought over the years.”

She added that she plans to focus on exposing the significant issues within institutional settings.

MRU stated that they are unable to provide further details on the case as the formal process continues.

“While the process is ongoing, we will refrain from additional comments,” the university added.

Widdowson had been a part of MRU since 2008.

Isaac Teo and Lee Harding contributed to this report.